Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy and the Albany County Legislature announced the award of $7,900,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funding to 40 organizations to promote community development. This represents the third and largest round of ARPA awards to be released to the community by Albany County, with individual awards ranging from $100,000 up to $375,000. The funding will support innovative new initiatives and expansion of existing programs that have proven effective in improving the lives and outcomes of our residents.

These awards include programs that; address housing & food insecurity, enhance community access to behavioral health and substance abuse services, invest in recreation and the natural environment, augment community violence intervention and prevention programs, and support the needs of our school-age and senior populations. 

“We continue to utilize the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding in ways that maximize the positive impact for our residents. I am proud to partner with these incredible organizations who are out in the community each and every day helping those who need it the most. By investing in community-driven initiatives, we are building an environment where everyone has the opportunity to lend a hand and uplift our County,” said Albany County Executive McCoy.

“I am honored to join my colleagues in celebrating the approval of ARPA’s Community Development funding. We have allocated resources to various essential community services, including: health, housing, violence prevention, food accessibility, outdoor recreational services, youth populations and our seniors. It is incredibly fulfilling for us to support the essential services in our community that play a vital role in keeping us connected, optimistic, and thriving,” said Albany County Legislature Chairwoman Joanne Cunningham.

“Let’s talk about what we’ve done here through this incredibly important ARPA investment in Community Development. We’re touching every corner of our community. This funding underscores our commitment as a local governing body to provide for the organizations and business that offer irreplaceable support services. I look forward to seeing a brighter future for Albany County come from this funding,” Said Albany County Deputy Chairwoman Wanda Willingham.

“I am excited to award $7.9 million dollars in American Rescue Plan Act funding to organizations throughout Albany County. These 40 organizations are working to address issues affecting our communities, ranging from food insecurity, to housing assistance, to behavioral health, to violence prevention programs, and senior and youth support services. These programs will have impacts that will be felt throughout the county. This is another example of the strong, forward-thinking leadership and investments in our local communities that the public has come to expect from the Democratic Majority in Albany County. As Majority Leader, I am proud of the work we have done to improve the lives of those who call Albany County their home -- work that would not have been possible without the cooperation and support of our Chairwoman, Joanne Cunningham, and our County Executive, Dan McCoy. I look forward to seeing all the good work these grants will accomplish in our communities,” said Majority Leader Dennis Feeney.

“APRA funding plays a crucial role in empowering our community by allocating $7.9 million across essential services, from affordable housing to behavioral health, food access, violence prevention, recreation, senior services, and youth programs. These investments, such as the $1.8 million in housing support and $1.6 million in behavioral health, directly uplift the most vulnerable populations, ensuring access to critical resources and fostering a healthier, safer, and more vibrant community for all,” said Legislative Black Caucus Chairwoman Carolyn McLaughlin.

The applications were competitively graded, reviewed by the County’s ARPA Community Development and Public Health Subcommittee and their recommendations were submitted to the bipartisan ARPA Executive Committee for final recommendation to the full County Legislature.

The Executive Committee includes the County Executive Daniel McCoy, Chairwoman Joanne Cunningham, Majority Leader Dennis Feeney, Comptroller Susan Rizzo, Legislative Black Caucus Chair Carolyn McLaughlin, County Legislature Minority Leader Frank Mauriello and County Dept. of Management & Budget Commissioner David Reilly.

ARPA Award Recipients:

Affordable Housing: Housing Support- $1,800,000

• Affordable Housing Partnership of the Capital Region Inc.
• Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region
• Eden's Rose Foundation
• IPH (Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless)
• Refugee Welcome Corporation
• United Tenants of Albany, Inc.
• Wildwood Programs, Inc.

Behavioral Health, Substance Abuse, Telehealth- $1,600,000

• Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, The Collaboratory
• Black Nurses Coalition, Inc
• Capital District LATINOS, Inc.
• St. Catherine’s Center for Children
• St. Peter's Hospital Foundation
• The Addictions Care Center of Albany, Inc.

Food Access- $1,300,000

• Albany Damien Center
• Albany Fund for Education
• FOCUS Churches of Albany, Inc.
• Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, Inc.
• Shalom Food Pantry
• The Food Pantries for the Capital District, Inc.

Preventing and Responding to Violence- $800,000

• Albany Community Land Trust
• ALERT Partnership Inc
• Bridge Tha Gap Resource & Outreach Inc.
• Center for Disability Services, Inc.

Recreation and Outdoor Infrastructure- $1,300,000

• Albany Jewish Community Center
• Altamont Fair
• Guilderland Youth Lacrosse
• Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy
• National Little League
• Maimonides Hebrew Day School
• Watervliet Civic Chest, Inc.
• Westland Hills Inc

Senior Services- $400,000

• CDWBA The Legal Project
• Senior Services Centers of the Albany Area, Inc. (d.b.a. LifePath)

Youth Services- $700,000

• 4th Family Inc.
• Albany Police Athletic League, Inc. (PAL)
• Art Partners Tsehaya & Company, Inc
• Girls Incorporated of The Greater Capital Region
• Playhouse Stage Company
• Young Men's Christian Association of the Capital District
• YouthFX

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Pic- CE McCoy, Legislature Chair Cunningham, Deputy Chair Willingham, Legislators McLaughlin, Beston, Pedo and Rosano and Comptroller Rizzo pictured with APRA grant recipients.